Official vets

Official vets
(OVs) perform veterinary work on behalf of an EU member state. OVs were
previously referred to as Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs). The work
performed by OVs is normally of a statutory nature and is often undertaken at public
expense.

OVs are
veterinary surgeons appointed by government to carry out authorised duties on
its behalf. They are not employees of the Minister but are rather appointed
under the terms of a Memorandum. The payment of OVs is based on an agreed fee for
service.

The Animal
and Plant Health Agency (APHA) was formed in late 2014 and combined the Animal
Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) with the four functions of the Food
and Environment Research Agency (FERA; Bee inspectorate, the Plants Health and
Seeds Inspectorate, the Plant Variety and Seeds Group and the GM Inspectorate).

Following a
tendering exercise in 2014, OV services, including TB testing in cattle,
non-bovines, brucellosis testing, anthrax investigations, and disease outbreak
response will be provided by new Delivery Partners using a network of
subcontracted veterinary practices in England and Wales.

Delivery Partners

Region

Delivery Partner

Wales North

Menter a Busnes

Wales South

Iechyd Da
(Gwledig) Ltd

England South
East

XL Farmcare
South East Ltd

England South
West 1

XL Farmcare
Devon and Cornwall Ltd

England South
West 2

XL Farmcare
Wessex Ltd

England Midlands

XL Farmcare
Midlands Ltd

England North

XL Farmcare
North Ltd

BVA activity

In June 2010 BVA wrote to AHVLA highlighting members' concerns about the future of disease eradication plans and the management of outbreaks.

In 2012, BVA provided written and oral evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee inquiry on the rationalisation of AHVLA's laboratory services in England and AHVLA's proposals for competitive tendering for OV services.

On 14 February 2014, BVA wrote to the AHVLA to
raise member concerns about the IT system, SAM, and to seek reassurance that
problems would be resolved before TB testing commenced through the Veterinary
Delivery Partnership.

BVA also wrote to HM Treasury on 21 February
2014, to re-state BVA’s position against tendering and emphasise the wealth of
experience and flexibility that local vets bring in delivering TB testing.

On 23 June 2014 AHVLA announced that they have awarded a contract for the training and
revalidation of OVs in England, Scotland and Wales to Improve International

On 27 April 2015 BVA and BCVA wrote to the Secretary of State raising member concerns regarding the Veterinary Delivery Partner contracts and in particular the short time-frame within which to sign. The letter requested an
extension to the deadline to the end of May, with a start date of 1 June, in
order to give veterinary practices enough time to consider the contracts
properly, take legal advice if necessary, and to discuss any questions or
concerns with the Delivery Partners.

More information can be found on the BVA community platform where members can feed in their views.